National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Statement;

Supreme Court Decision on Health Care Law

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness has released the following statement by NAMI Executive Director Michael J. Fitzpatrick:

"The Supreme Court's decision means that the American people can continue to move forward to build a health care system that covers everyone.

No system is perfect, but it has been clear for some time that many Americans support specific provisions of the law—such as that requiring insurance coverage of pre-existing medical conditions. The decision protects that provision, along with others that are important to people living with mental illness.

The law is a foundation. Let's keep building on it."

At NAMI's national convention in Seattle this week, a symposia on the law is scheduled for Friday, Speakers include Tim Englehart of the CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office in Washington, D.C. and Leah Hole-Curry of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute in Olympia, Wash.

About NAMI

NAMIis the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope.